Dan + Shay Lean on Each Other to Stay Grounded — and Grateful — on the Road

"Not to quote Kenny Chesney or anything, but -- it's like, 'Don't blink,' you know?" Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay said with a laugh during a recent media event. As 2018 winds down, he and his bandmate, Shay Mooney, are reflecting on the banner year they've had as country stars. Between the duo's release of their self-titled third album; their trek with Rascal Flatts, the 2018 Back to Us Tour; and more, the duo has kept busy for the entire year.

"It does go by fast. We're seeing that now. We're already on our third record," Smyers continues. "It feels like just yesterday we had just met, and we were in that house with no heat and no AC. Our lives have changed in a big way this year."

With all the changes taking place, Mooney admits that it can be difficult to take time to celebrate the victories. "You kind of have to take it each day, and be able to celebrate in small ways, and small victories," he explains. "At the end of the year, you look back and think, 'Oh my gosh, this is already flowing by.' You have this moment of trying to be purposeful."

Luckily, the two help each other stay grounded. "It's a lot easier with Dan and I being on the road together. You can remind each other, 'Man, this is amazing that we played this show,'" Mooney adds. "Just kind of being thankful every day, living in that state of how blessed we are that we get to do this. We try to do that. We do a better job of it when we're together, because we can remind each other. The highs are higher and the lows aren't as low, that's for sure."